But that is not the only purpose they have served on this trip! Last night, I explained how these 2 pairs of glasses can help us understand some pretty incredible things about our trip. My everyday pair of glasses help me to see things the way any person with good vision sees them - the way they are physically. The second pair (my prescription sunglasses) help me to see things in focus, but see them through lenses with a different tint. As we unpacked the day, I explained how each student has the opportunity to choose which glasses they will see the day through - the pair that sees things in natural light or the pair that allows them to see the people, places and activities of the day through "supernatural" lenses. As we started our day on the bus this morning, I held up both pairs of glasses and asked everyone "Which pair of glasses are we wearing today?" they responded in unison... "SUNGLASSES!"
Following our 45 minute bus ride through some of the most beautiful countryside many of us have ever seen, we arrived at the community of Nicaragua (not the country - dont worry). We worked in a very small school (thank you Lord! btw - yesterday only turned out to be about 140 kids... calm down, commenters :-)
Student played soccer, made crafts, sang songs and made bracelets. Today was amazing! One of the highlights of the day was the craft that we planned - before we began, we got the entire group together and took a quick snapshot with a digital camera. While our students worked with the children to make and decorate picture frames out of popsicle sticks, I went to the church next door and hooked up a small digital printer to the only electical outlet in the entire community! (the power was supplied by a solar panel that fed a car battery - it was hooked up to a power inverter which powered a small audio amplifier that the church usues for their electic keyboard and microphone... see the picture below). After I printed out the pictures on the printer, I took it over to the group to fill the frames... you should have seen the faces of these children when they saw the pictures!
Ok... now for the top 5 things that I loved about today:
5. Watching some of our students choose selfless wisdom over their own desires and comfort!
4. Watching the amazement on their faces as we drove through miles of dirt roads and one lane bridges to get to Nicaragua
3. Seeing 30+ beautiful Honduran children smile while they play "Red Rover"
2. Watching a 9 year old boy out manuver several of our high school boys (some soccer players) on the soccer field!
1... hearing the voice of my beautiful wife... I love you Sheila!!!!! I can't wait to see you!
Here are some pics... have fun! Btw - they loved hearing the comments!!!!
Jeremy
Our band reception from day 1 - this band is the Central American Champion!
27 comments:
Thanks so much for the pictures, Jeremy.
Oh... the deep, pure laughter and peace on each of your faces is priceless!
I can tell already that you are connecting deeply with one another. It's that simple, isn't it: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. It is wonderful to see you all loving on each other as well as on the children God is putting your path. My prayer is that this intense connecting you are doing now -- both within the youth group and with the Hondurans -- will be a skill you retain and embrace when you arrive back home.
Still praying daily for all of you!
I hope you all know how blessed we are to see the work you are doing. The pictures are awesome and bring tears to my eyes. I'm wishing I were with you -- heat & all -- although I could do without cockroaches -- Yuck! Continue to follow God's will with open hearts, hands and minds!
". . . Freely you have received, freely give." ~Matthew 10:8b This comes from a section of Matthew talking about Jesus sending out the Twelve. I think that each of you are living that verse -- keep giving and you will be amazed at what you receive in return.
You all remain in my prayers. Joel don't forget to take pictures! Love and miss you!!
~Mom
Okay Stacey, I've changed my mind. You CAN bring a few of those little ones home. I'll help with them! Those children are adorable! The Ohio kids look beautiful, too. The face of Jesus is absolutely shining in their eyes! Keep up the awesome work, all of you. What a mighty God we serve!
Someone asked me if I were worried about Emily (W) going to Honduras. I said, "Absolutely not, she is right where God wants her and He can take better care of her than I can' That being said, it is wonderful to be able to get updates on your day and how God is using you to reach others for Him!
"...unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers..." Rm1:9-10
Hi guys we love all the pictures and comments. The Honduran children are beautiful!
John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Thank you for being amazing portraits of Gods love. We are praying for you daily.
I'm enjoying reading about your adventures and it looks like you're having so much fun from the pictures. May God continue to bless you all!
I love the pictures!! Keep up the good work, guys.
Love and prayers to all!!
Emily C. - Luv ya....:)
Dad & Mom
Thanks for the number Jeremy you should know that I would want to know that! Love the pictures! Tears of joy and and an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for such an awesome group of people that we are proud to call family. I wish I was there to share in it all!
Leaders, you guys rock!
Jacob I love ya!
Hayden says Merry Christmas Jake, He's trying to make you think cool thoughts:)
Elli says she loves you and misses you!
oh the beautiful Honduran children. You all have no idea the impact you have on these kids and you will be amazed by the impact they will have on your life. I am praying for the entire group. I took my first trip to Guatemala as a junior in high school and the experience was priceless. Savor every moment and thank God for the wonderful diversity of our world.
Katie - Es muy divertido y cómico viajar con estudiantes, ¿no? Estoy segura que ellos estén alegres que hables español, especialmente Jeremy. Ja ja. Quiero oír cuentos cuando regreses. Dios bendiga.
Just to see the joy in these kids faces says is all. God bless all of you in this jouney. I am so thankful that God is working through our youth. I canot wait to hear the stories and see the pictures that will be coming home. Danny,hope that you are taking alots of pictures. Everyone here is asking about you.
Mom
Hi all - It is such a blessing to see all the pictures and hear how God is using everyone to minister to the people in Honduras. Keep up the good work and God will contine to open the hearts of those beautiful children. We will continue to keep you in our prayers as you serve a wonderful God. Scott, we can't wait to hear about your wonderful experience first hand and how God is continuing His work in your life. Love you, Mom
Jacob - Sydney had to take a picture of a role model to daycare with her today. You were one of the final two choices, but you didn't make top pick. I don't think she realizes what a wonderful role model you are for her - maybe it's because you pick on her too much. She misses her brother big time!
I continue to pray for all of you -you fill my thoughts constantly.
Haha--I bet they are good at soccer down there, without silly things like American football and baseball to distract them! Hehe, I'm glad to know that we are keeping those soccer players humble down there. It sounds like you guys are haveing a good time down there. Some swimmers and I have been playing sand volleyball the past couple of days. Let me tell you, we have plenty to be humble about. If you thought it was hard to coordinate a group of uncoordinated people, I managed to do it in 25 minutes with the help of the contact list in Tyler's phone. Hahaha, we are AWFUL except for the one girl who plays volleyball. So, I feel for you guys. At least you got out manuevered by a guy. We're getting beat by a girl.
Brandon
Jeremy and all...
The updates and pictures are really telling a great story to all of us! What awesome word pictures you are putting in my mind. I have a list of all the participants and we are praying for a few of you daily, remembering you by name so that you may receive the strength, wisdom and support that you need.
Be ready....this might make a good TV segment when you get back home!
Grace & Peace
I have made an observation; since Stac & T & Izzy are gone the house is as clean as I have ever seen it. Maybe Stac has arrange for an outside service to come in while I am at work, but I think not. Maybe it is Izzy that was creating all the mess? No, since that doesn't explain how the diswasher was emptied and the recycling bin made it back to the garage. My counters are without cluter and there are not a pile of shoes at the back door that I have to step over. While then it is either Stac or T. B & I have our bet. Jeremy take a vote for us and let us know whether you guys think it is Stac or T.
Seriously, everything is going quite well here. Things are turning positive. I would like T to spend time making bunk beds. This is a skill that will benefit him in the long run verses getting spank by 12 year old girls at soccer.
May the God who created the universe reveal himself to you all. KB
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. . . Eph. 3:20 Heard this verse on my way to work this morning, how fitting for you guys! How neat to know that God can and will do more than we can even fatham. That is my prayer for you all today.
Looks like an you're having an awesome time down there. Can't wait to hear all the stories when you get back. Catie, I'm thinking I should have sent some items from home with you to leave with these beautiful kids. We have so much here in America that we take for granted. The pictures have been great and I've been sharing them with my co-worker.
Missing you Catie! So glad you are getting to experience this. Love and Prayers,
MOM & DAD
P.S. I think Christie is finally sleeping better. The first few nights were rough for her. She missed you.
Deb and I have been following your trip closely. Having been to some of those same villages just a few months ago that you are now ministering brings back a lot of mental images for me. I am so thrilled that each of made the effort to be a part of this endeavor. You will remember it forever! We'll continue to be praying for you each step along the way.
George Kreger
Wow, what an awsome opportunity to show the love of Christ! Thank you for keeping us informed on what God is doing through you. Emily (Wagner), we miss you, but I am so glad you had the chance to go and serve the Lord as you are. You are a wonderful daughter!
Love, Dad
My days have taken on a new routine: jump out of bed and run login in to godeepblog-read-laugh-pray-print out-share-before bed-login again and catch comments.
Aunt Joyce Martin, Aunt Mim, Aunt Beth are all reading the blog. News about Grandma is not good-know you are praying & she is taking incredibly well.
Keep us supplied so we can jump-login-read-laugh-pray-share another day.
Emily C - As I was reading this morning, I read this scripture and you came to my mind, "I will praise thee O Lord, among the people; I will sing unto thee among the nations". That's what you're doing - praising God among the nations. As I was looking at the latest pictures, I saw how beautiful the Hounduran children are. What a privelege to share the love of God with them!!!
Grammy
Maty- Hi, this is Leah. I miss you. I hope you are having a fun time. I love you.
(from Eliot-)
The picture we see is so like you. Looks like you are laughing. Is it Padre Abraham? Eliot
To all - Wish I was there...really! It sounds like your days are busy and fulfilling. The time you are giving to the children will be just as memorable for them as for you. I do hope your nights are restful so you are full of energy for the new day. Thanks for serving God in this way!
We're praying often for each of you.
It is an absolute treasure to make this journey with you via the computer. I laugh, cry, and most of all rejoice as i see your faces and know just how much God is using you in the lives of those beautiful kids. What makes me especially proud is that several of you were in my first grade class and i got to watch you learn to read and now YOU are sharing the greatest story ever written!!! I have never been given a greater gift. We will keep praying for you and know that your lives are going to be changed through this adventure in HIm.
And to Jeremy, Matt says,"What's up?"
OK... Indians update. It's not good news for you, Taylor & Tristan...
Tuesday:
Indians 2
Angels 3
Wednesday:
Indians 11
Angels 14
In other news...
--Dad's home from Portland
--Daphne stepped on a bee
--Tristan, you have a lot of mail
--Megan misses you, Taylor
--Danielle misses you both as well
--Trevin, not so much.
--Omar says hi
We love you both, and can't wait for you go get back.
Mom & Dad
Hi Grayden! Chloe here. I miss you. I went to the Hagemans all day and they got a new dog named Remmy. He is so cute. I hope you're having fun! I miss your music going and your mouth going. Hee Hee. Chloe
Emma says: Hi Grayden, I love you! Miss you and don't let the giant cockroach get you.
Grayden, I miss you - and it's not just because I've had to do dishes and take out the trash. :) Mom
Jeremy - When I first began to read the post for today, I thought, "Oh no! He broke/lost his new glasses!" Thanks for the beautiful spiritual analogy instead. Hope Grayden has his SUNGLASSES on when he sees how well I cleaned his room today. Ahem. :)
Grayden - With you and Jeremy gone I have no one to play golf with! Boy, I hope your new sunglasses work as good as Jeremy's do. Who knew!?
We'll let The Littles "talk" tomorrow. We're proud of you and your whole team! Sleep well everyone!
hey Con the house is much quieter with you gone, stay as long as you want. Seriously though i'm proud of what you are doing so keep working hard.
Oh i almost forgot, Tyler i love you and can't wait for you to get back lol.
Jordan
Alexis,
We hope you are having a wonderful experience seeing life through another culture's eyes. We miss you but we know you're in good hands and doing fulfilling work. Reading the blog and seeing the pictures helps us share it with you (and makes your Mom worry less). We love you and can't wait to see you and hear about the trip.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Hey guys im loving the pictures just had somthing that i found that I tougt would make you all think back to the good old days. It made me laugh, I hope it dose the same for you..
If youʼre under the age of 11 or 12...you shouldnʼt even read this,
and if you do, you should not resend this.
just because you were born in ʼ97 doesnʼt mean youʼre a 90ʼs kids
Itʼs not like you could remember the original Simpsons
I am sorry but three conscious years of the 90ʼs just won't cut it
Youʼre a 90ʼs kid if:
You remember watching
-Kenan and Kel
-Doug
-Ren & Stimpy
-Pinky and the Brain
-AAAAAAAH Real Monsters!
-Rockos modern Life
-Animaniacs
-Gargoyles
-Tom and Jerry [when they didnt talk]
-Hey Arnold
-Out of the Box
-Bear in the Big Blue House
Youʼve ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE!"
You just cant resist finishing this . . . "In west Philadelphia born and raised..."
You remember:
-Step by Step
-Family Matters
-Dinosaurs
-Boy Meets World
You remember when it was actually worth getting up early
on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
You remember reading "Goosebumps"
When everything was settled by:
-rock paper scissors or
-bubble gum bubble gum in a dish or
-miss mary mack
when kick ball was something u did everyday!!
-You used to listen to the radio all day long just to record your FAVORITE song of ALL time on a tape.
-You remember when Super Nintendos and Sega Genisis became popular
-You remember The Original Game Boy.
-You always wanted to send in a tape to Americaʼs Funniest Home Videos . . .
...but never taped anything funny
You remember watching:
-The Magic School Bus
-Wishbone
-Reading Rainbow
-and Ghostwriter on PBS
You remember when Yo-Yos were cool
You remember those Whereʼs Waldo books.
You remember eating Warheads and Splashers Gum.
-You remember watching:
-the 1st Batman
-Aladdin
-Ninja Turtles
-ghost busters
You remember Ring Pops!!!
-If you remember when every thing was "da BOMB!"
You remember boom boxes .vs. cd players.
making those little paper fortune cookie things, that MASH thing ,and then predicting your life with them.
You played and/or collected "Pogs"
You had at least one Tamagotchi, GigaPet, or Nano and brought it everywhere u went
You watched the original cartoons of
-Rugrats
-Wild Thornberryʼs
-Power Rangers
-Rocket Power
-All your school supplies were "Lisa Frank" brand
-You collected those Beanie Babies.
-Yu Gi Oh and Pokemon cards
-Coins with the states on them
-Carebears
-Silver dollars, which were cool to have
-Everyone watched the WB.
If you even know what an original walkman is..
You know the Macarena by heart.
"Talk to the hand" . . .enough said.
You went to McDonaldʼs to play in the playplace
Before the MySpace frenzy . . .
Before the Internet & text messaging .
Before Sidekicks & iPods . .
Before PlayStation3 or X-BOX 360
Before Spongebob . . .
When light up sneakers were cool.
When you rented VHS tapes, not DVDs
When gas was $0.95 a gallon.
When we recorded stuff on VCR
You had slap bracelets!
You Actually played outside until it was dark!
Way back-Before we realized all this would eventually disappear.
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